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i "Turf' means non-crop land planted and closely Yard waste compost or other similar maten- mowed, managed grasses including, but not lim- ited to, residential and commercialproperty, ri- als that are primarily organic in nature and P are applied to improve the physical condi• vate golf courses, and property owned by federal, tion of the soil. state, or local units of government, including parks, recreation areas, and public golf courses. The application of fertilizer under subsection A Turf does not mean pasture, hayland, hay, or turf above must meet the standards established by the grown on turf farms. Massachusetts Department of Environmental 4. Use and application of lawn fertilizer. Protection. r Except as provided in Section 5 below, no person 6. Display for sale of fertilizer containing phos• horous. shall apply any lawn fertilizer that is labeled as p containing more than zero percent phosphorous or any other compound containing phosphorous, Effective December 1 2011 no person shall dis- play for sale any lawn fertilizer that is labeled as such as phosphate. containing more than zero percent phosphorous, or compound containing phosphorous, such as No person shall apply any lawn fertilizer when the phosphate. Lawn fertilizer that contains more ground is frozen. than zero percent phosphorus may be stored off the sales floor and may be sold upon presentation No person shall cause lawn fertilizer to be applied of a deficiency of phosphorous statement. The to or run onto any impervious surface including business shall advise customers by signs that soil parking lots, roadways and sidewalks. If such an test kits and fertilizer containing phosphorous is application, occurs the fertilizer must be immedi- available. ately contained and collected and either legally applied to turf or placed in an appropriate con- Effective December 2011 a sign referencing the tainer. regulations set forth in this chapter and the effects of 5. Exemptions to use and application of lawn fer- oceans andriits tribuous on taries p ari sther ofemust be p oames tilizer. nently displayed where fertilizers are sold. A bus with The prohibition against the use of fertilizer under this res deemed requirement b displayinga a l sin consistent Section 4 shall not apply to the following: with a sample sign available able from the Mashpee Newly established turf or lawn areas during Board of Health. their first growing season. 7. Lawn Care Companies and Commercial Turf or lawn areas where soil tests per- Providers formed within the past three years confirm Lawn Care Companies and all Commercial that the phosphorous levels are deficient Providers of fertilization and/or weed control are based upon the standards established by the prohibited from using any product containing Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. phosphorous. If any turf is deemed to need phos- The fertilizer application shall not contain phorous as indicated by a tissue, soil,or other test an amount of phosphorous exceeding the by a laboratory (or any similar method approved amount and rate of application recom- by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture mended based on the soil test. and such test has been performed within the last three years indicates that the level of available Gardens, including vegetable and flower, phosphorus in the soil is insufficient to support trees, shrubs, and indoor applications healthy turf growth may, upon paying a fee as including green houses. determined by he Department of Agriculture, apply for a waiver after paying any prescribed fee 84